Engine mounting mechanism



A ril 22, 1958 R. L. BELDIN Em. 2,831,566

ENGINE MOUNTING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORSR.L.BELDIN 8| MABERK April 22, 1958 Filed May 29, 1956 R. L. BELDIN ETAL ENGINE MOUNTING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS R.L. BELDIN 8:MA. BERK ATTORN S April 22, 1958 R. BELDIN ET AL 2,831,565

ENGINE MOUNTING-MECHANISM Filed'May 29, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORSR.L. BELDIN 8| ATTORNE S United States Patent ENGINE MOUNTING MECHANISMRoyal L. Beldin, Davenport, Iowa, and Martin A. Berk, Rock Island, Ill.,assignors to Deere & Company, Moline, 111., a corporation of IllinoisApplication May 29, 1956, Serial No. 588,186

14 Claims. (Cl. 198-121) This invention relates to a material-handlingdevice of the type in which material is moved from one end of a materialconveyor to the opposite end. More particularly this invention relatesto the type of materialhandling device commonly known and referred to asa small grain elevator.

In many of the small grain elevators, the power source is incorporatedas a part of the elevator unit. That is, the engine or power source foroperating the elevator is mounted directly on the elevator structure.The usual type of elevator is characterized by having supportingframework for the conveying unit which operates to adjust the conveyingunit at varying degrees of inclination relative to the ground level.This of course, creates the problem of providing an additionaladjustment means for maintaining the engine, which is usually of theinternal combustion type, at a substantially level position so as tomaintain its operation at optimum efficiency. Also, in many instances aV-belt or other type of flexible element will extend from the engine orpower source to the vdriven members of the elevator for the purpose oftransmitting power from the engine to the drive members. Varying theinclination of the conveyor will also operate to vary thecenter-to-center distance of the pulleys of the V-belt therebyincreasing or decreasing the tension of the V-belt.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a mountingmechanism for the engine or power source of the elevator which willautomatically adjust itself to maintain the engine substantially levelwhen the angle of inclination of the conveyor is changed.

It is also an object of this invention to provide with the abovedescribed mounting mechanism means for maintaining the center-to-centerrelationship between the pulleys of the belt drive substantiallyconstant irrespective of the automatic adjustment of the engine mountingmeans.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide with the abovemounting means an additional adjustment which will permit take-up to bemade should the belt or flexible element stretch, which will not effectthe selfleveling characteristics of the mounting means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device on the enginemounting means which will permit the engine to be moved toward the drivemeans so as to permit the V-belt to be removed or replaced and whichincorporates the use of an automatic lock, when the engine has beenpositioned, to maintain the optimum tension in the V-belt.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art as the principle of the invention is betterunderstood from the following detailed description as shown in theaccompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side perspective showing one form of the invention and aportion of the elevator tube and sup,- porting structure.

an elevator incorporating Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of theengine mounting means.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified formof the invention.

Fig. 7 is a side perspective similar to Fig. 2 showing the modified formof the invention.

' Fig. 8 is a side view, similar to Fig. 3, of the modified form of theinvention. 7

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of Fig. 8.

The general elevator construction illustrated is merely representativeof many forms that the elevator could assume, and it is not intendedthat the specific illustration in any way limit the invention. Likewise,directional limitations such as front and rear and left and right aregiven merely for descriptive purposes only and should not be construedas limitations either in the specification or in the claims. Thematerial-handling device or elevator comprises supporting structuredesignated generally by the numeral 10, and is here in the form of awheeled truck including a transverse axle 11 on which is carried a pairof laterally spaced wheels 12 (only one of which is shown). Thesupporting structure on the truck includes frame members or sections oneof which is a generally forwardly extending reach 13 carried at one endby the axle 11 and pivoted at 14 to material-handling means in the formof an elongated elevator tube 15. The reach 13 is composed of a pair oflaterally spaced members 16, 17 which have their forward ends connectedtogether by a supporting band 18 surrounding the tube 15 and serving astheir common connection to the tube. The members 16, 17 divergerearwardly where they are connected to the opposite ends of the axle 11.The other section of the supporting structure comprises an elevatingmeans in the form of a boom 19 composed of upper and lower sections 20,21, respectively, the upper section 20 being adapted to move verticalyrelative to the lower section 21 by means of an adjusting arrangement,not shown in detail but indicated by an adjusting crank 22. The uppersection 20 is connected to the elevator tube 15 and operates to raise orlower the elevator tube 15 in response to rotation of the crank 22,thereby providing a means in the supporting'structure for varying theangle of inclination of the elevator tube 15 relative to the horizontawhich is normally the ground level.

The elevator is of the screw type having an auger 25 extending theentire length of the elevator. The elevator has a receiving end 26comprised basically of an exposed portion of the auger 25 which isnormally inserted into the grain or other type of material to beconveyed and which operates to inaugurate movement of the materialupwardly and through the tube 15. The upper end of the elevator tube 15is provided with a discharge opening 27. Driveable means for operatingthe auger is provided at the upper end of theelevator tube 15 and iscomposed of a spur gear arrangement mounted under a gear housing 30. Thespur gear arrangement is driven from an elongated drive shaft 31 whichis mounted above the elevator tube 15 by axially spaced apart sup: ports32. The shaft 31 has mounted at its forward terminal end a drive shaftpulley 33 which is mounted on pulley support bracket 29. The drive shaft31 and pulley 33 is driven by a flexible element 34 or V-belt threadedover the pulley 33, around a pair of idler pulleys 35, 36, andforwardly'to an engine pulley 37.; The engine, here indicated by thereference numeral 38.

PatentedApr. 22, 1958 g is of an internal combustion type dependent foropera tion upon a 'fuel flow from a fuel tank 39.

Up to the present the features of the elevator and its supportingstructure have been more or less conventional and description of adetailed nature have been omitted inasmuch as it is felt that such isnot needed for a full understanding of the invention which willpresently be described. The invention concerns primarily the method andthe mecahnism for maintaining the engine level irrespective of the angleof the elevator relative to the ground and also for maintainingoperating tension in the V-belt or flexible element 34.

Included in the engine 38 is an engine block 40 having integraloutwardly extending flanges 41. The drive unit or engine 38 is affixedto an engine carrier composed of a pair of fore-and-aft spaced apartangle irons 42, 43 by means of bolts 44 which extend through the flanges41 and aligned transverse slots 45 in the adjacent leg portions 46, 47of the angled members 42, 43, respectively. Depending portions 51 of theangle iron members 42, 43 are provided with fore-and-aft alignedopenings receiving fore-and-aft extending guide elements 52, 53. Theengine carrier, composed of the angle iron members 42, 43, is thereforeprovided with guide engaging portions which permit the engine or powerunit to be moved, unless otherwise restricted, fore-and-aft along theguides 52, 53.

The guides 52, 53 are portions of a bail member connected at theirforward end by a cross piece 55 which serves as a stop for limitingforward movement of the engine relative to the elevator. The rearwardends of the guides 52, 53 are welded or are fixed in any other suitablemanner to a pair of upwardly extending brackets 56, 57. The brackets 56,57 and the bail member including the guides 52, 53 and cross piece 55serve as a carrier or engine support.

The engine support is mounted on the elevator tube 15 by means of asupporting structure including a pair of axially spaced apart supportingbands 60, 61 fixedly attached to the elevator tube and which supportforwardly extending leftand right-hand track members 62, 63 which runlegnthwise of the elevator. The tracks 62, 63 are provided with slots64, 65, respectively. The carrier support is connected to the supportingstructure by means of a bolt threaded at opposite ends which extendsthrough the slots 64, 65 and apertures aligned with the slots 64, 65which are provided at the lower end of the bracket members 56, 67. Aspacer 69 is mounted on the bolt 66 between the tracks 62, 63 to addlateral support between the tracks. Nuts 78, 71 are mounted on oppositeends of the bolts 66 and operate to secure the carrier support to thesupporting structure. This affords a pivotal connection between thecarrier support and the supporting structure and it is thereforeapparent that the supporting structure affords both a rockablesuspension of the carrier support as well as permitting lengthwisemovement of the carrier support relative to the elevator and in theslots 64, 65.

First fore-and-aft extending links 75, 76 are mounted at their forwardends on the bolt 66 at its opposite ends, and have their rear endsconnected to the reach member 16, 17. The connections of the links 75,76 to the reach members 16, 17 and the bolt 66 are also all pivotalconnections.

Second link means in the form of a pair of fore-and-aft extending links80, 81 are pivotally connected as at 82, 83 to the upper end of thecarrier support brackets 56, 57. The rear end of the links 80, 81 arepivotally connected to a U-shaped bracket 86 which extends forwardlyfrom the bracket support 29. Viewing Figs. 1 and 2 it becomes apparentthat the carrier support is suspended in the slots 64, 65 for bothrockable movement and lengthwise movement relative to the .elevator andthe positioning of the engine 38 is controlled primarily by the links75, 76 and the links 80, 81.

A take-up device for mounting and dismounting the V-belt 34 on itspulleys is provided and is shown specifically in Figs. 3 and 4. Thetake-up device comprises a lever 90 which is supported on the crosspiece 55 of the bail member and is held against axial movement on thecross piece 55 by a cotter pin 91. The lever 90 is turned outwardly asat 92 to permit the main lever portion to be positioned outwardly of theright guide member 52. A locking link 93 extends through a suitableopening in the depending portion 50 of the angle iron 42 and is heldagainst movement relative to the depending portion 50 by means ofadjusting nuts 94, 95 which serve also to position the link 93lengthwise relative to the angle iron 42. The forward end of the link 93is turned inwardly as at 96 to extend through the lever 90 where it isheld in position by means of a cotter pin 97. The locking link 93 isalso characterized by being bent as at 93 so as to permit the link 93 topass under the angle iron 43. In operation the take-up device will causethe engine carrier to be moved rearwardly to permit the belt 34 to betaken off of or replaced on the pulley 37 by merely swinging the lever90 downwardly. To provide take-up in the belt 34 after it has beenreplaced on the pulley 37 the lever is raised to draw the carrierforwardly on the guides 52. Upon the lever 90 reaching its upperposition, as shown in Fig. 3, the pivot at the inwardly extending part96 of the link 93 will be positioned above the cross piece 55 on whichthe lever 96 is pivoted. Also, the link 93 will have at that pointengaged the lower edge of the depending part 51 of the angle iron 43which will prevent further counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. l) orupward movement of the lever 90. The relative positions of the pivot at96 and the cross piece 55 will create an over-center locking conditionwhich will prevent clockwise movement of the lever 90. Thus, is providedan automatic locking means in the take-up device.

The self-leveling mechanism operates in the following manner. Upon theelevator tube 56 being raised or increased in'its angle of inclinationrelative to the ground the reaches 16, 17 will drive the carrier supportforwardly in the slots 64, 65 by means of the first set of links 75, 76.This will in eifect cause the power unit assembly including the carrier,carrier support, and power unit to be swung counterclockwise relative tothe elevator tube 15, this latter effect being created by the links 80,81 preventing forward movement of the upper ends of the brackets 56, 57.Therefore, the effect on the power unit created by the elevator tube 15being increased in its angle of inclination will be counteracted by thecounterclockwise motion or swinging of the power unit relative to thetube 15 and consequently the power unit and its support will remain at asubstantially level position. In lowering or decreasing the angle ofinclination of the elevator tube:50 the opposite reaction will occur inthat the carrier support will be moved rearwardly in the slot 64, 65 andthe carrier support will be swung clockwise about its lower pivot 66 soas to counteract the decrease in angle of the elevator tube.

Up to this point the description has been limited to that form of theinvention shown in Figs. 1-5. In the modification shown in Figs. 6-10,the basic construction of the elevator tube and the supporting structureis the same as that in the previous form of the invention and,therefore, like numerals will indicate similar structure. In this formof the invention the auger 25 is driven at its upper end through aV-belt transmission 99 directly from the V-belt drive rather thanthrough elongated drive shaft as in the previous form. The V-belt drivecomprises an upper V-belt 100 which is threaded over a two-groove sheave101 at its lower end, over idler pulleys 1G2, 103 at the upper end ofthe elevator tube 15, and onto an auger drive pulley, not shown, whichis a part of the transmission 99. A second V-belt drive drives the firstV-belt and includes a V-belt 104 which extends between the other groovein the sheave 101 and the engine pulley 105 on the engine or power unit106. In a V-belt drive assembly such as this, an additional problemarises in that the overall elongation or stretching of the V-belts 100,104 due to their length will be a factor which must be taken intoconsideration and provision must be made in the engine mountingmechanism to provide for maintaining tension in the V-belts.

Axially spaced apart supporting band structures 110, 111 serve asprimary means mounting the engine on the tube 15. In the upper or rearband structure 110 there is provided a pair of upwardly extending earlugs 112 and 113 which have transversely aligned holes supporting ahorizontal bolt or pivot 114. A spacer 119 is mounted on the bolt 114and extends between the ear lugs 112, 113. While any suitable method maybe used for mounting the band structure 110 on the tube 15, it ispreferred to use bolt and nut combinations as at 115, 116 which areeasily adaptable to be loosened to adjust the structure 110 lengthwiseof the elevator tube.

In the present form of the invention the reach members extending fromthe axle 11 forwardly to the elevator tube 15 is composed of reach arms117, 118 connected at their forward or upper end for pivotal movement onthe bolt 114. The lower or forward band structure 111 is composed ofupper and lower sections 125, 126 respectively, the lower section havingdepending ear lugs 128, 129 supporting a transverse pivot pin 130. Aspacer 131 is mounted on the pin 130 and adds lateral support betweenthe ears 128, 129.

The engine carrier, the carrier support, and the take-up mechanismoperating between the carrier support and the carrier is identical tothat of the previous form of the invention and therefore details willnot be repeated. Identical parts will however be referred to by theirpreviously identified reference number. Rockable members or rock arms135, 136 are positioned on opposite sides of the elevator tube 15 andare fulcrumed at their lower end on the horizontal pivot 130 and areheld on the pin 130 by means of cotter pins 137, 133. The upper end ofthe rock arms 135, 136 are pivotally connected by a horizontal pivot pin139 which is also pivotally connected to the lower portion of thecarrier bracket 56, 57 (see Fig. 9).

Extending between the upper end of the carrier support brackets 56, 57is a pair of fore-and-aft extending links 142, 143 which are connectedto the brackets 56, 57 by a horizontal bolt 144 provided with a suitablespacer 145 and nuts 146, 147 for locking the links 142, 143 againstlateral movement. The rearward portion of each of the links 142, 143 areprovided with a plurality of transversely aligned holes 148, 149respectively which are adapted to fit over opposite ends of the bolt11%. Viewing Fig. 10, it therefore becomes apparent that both the reachmembers 117, 118 and the links 142, 143 are pivotally connected to theelevator and to one another by means of the bolt 114. Nuts 150, 151 areprovided on opposite ends of the bolt 114 and serve to secure both thelinks 142, 143 and the reach arms 117, 118 on the bolt 114.

A lower pair of links 155, 156 are positioned on opposite sides of theelevator tube 15. The forward end of the links 155, 156 are apertured soas to fit over the opposite ends of the horizontal pivot 139 and areheld on the pivot pin 139 by means of cotter pins 157, 158. The rear endportions of the links 155, 156 are provided with a plurality oftransversely aligned holes 159, 160 which'are adapted to receive bolts161, 162 for connecting the links 155, 156 to the reach members 117,118.

The self-leveling mechanism as shown in Figs. 6 through operates in thefollowing manner. If a small amount of take-up is required to properlytension the V-belts 100, 104 such may be provided by adjusting thescrews 94, 95 on the link 93. However, due to the extreme length of thebelts 100, 104, additional adjustment must be available to shorten orlengthen the center distance between the pulleys 102 and 103, 101, and105 when the belts either stretch or are replaced by a new or shorterlength of belt. Such adjustment is provided by the plurality of holes148, 149 in the upper links 142, 143 and the plurality of holes 160, 161in the lower links 155, 156. Thus, adjustment may be made to vary thecenter-to-center distance between the pulleys of the V-belt drive eitherin small or large quantities depending upon the requirements. Also sinceprovision is made to vary the effective length of both the upper links142, 143 and the lower links 155, 156, adjustment may be made withoutmaterially affecting the angular position of the power unit relative tothe ground. Should further adjustment be necessary such may be had byloosening the bands 110, 111 and sliding them along theelevator tube 15.

The pivotal connections at the opposite ends of the rock arms 135, 136permit the power unit or the carrier support to be moved lengthwise ofthe elevator as well as rockably supporting the power unit on theelevator. Any variations in angle between the elevator tube 15 and thereach arms 117,118 will cause the first or lower links 155, 156 to swingthe power unit assembly fore or aft, depending on whether the angle isincreased or decreased on the arms 135, 136. The upper or second links142, 143, being fixed against fore-and-aft movement relative to theelevator will cause the power unit assembly to rock on the horizontalpivot pin 139 and about the upper ends of the rock arms 135, 136.Therefore, varying the inclination of the elevator tube relative to theground will cause the power unit 106 to move fore-and-aft on'the arms135, 136 and relative to the elevator, which in turn will cause thepower unit assembly to rock relative to the elevator on' the upper endsof the arms 135, 136, and in a direction of rotation and of an amountnecessary to compensate for the variation of inclination of the elevatortube, thereby maintaining the power unit or engine 106 at asubstantially level position. In the latter operation the second form ofthe invention is similar to the previous form.

While only two forms of the invention have been shown, it should berecognized that other variations and forms could exist without departingfrom the basic invention. Therefore, while the present forms were shownto more clearly and concisely illustrate the principles of theinvention, it should be recognized that others could exist withoutdeparting from the basic invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a material-handling device of the type including supportingframework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework forangular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveablemeans mounted on the elevator, a power source, and an endless flexibleelement extending between the power source and the driveable means fortransmitting power from the former to the latter, theimprovement'comprising: a carrier having means connecting it to thepower source; a rigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached tothe elevator and affording rockable suspension for the support andlengthwise movement of the support relative to the elevator; a firstlink extending between the supporting framework and the carrier supportfor moving the carrier support lengthwise of the elevator upon angularadjustment of the elevator; a second link connected to the elevator andthe carrier support for causing the carrier to rock in response toangular adjustment of the elevator to maintain said power source at asubstantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground; and meansmounting the carrier to the carrier support including therein a take-updevice for maintaining operating tension on the flexible element.

2. In a material-handling device of the type including supportingframework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework forangular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveablemeans mounted on the elevator and a power unit for operating thedriveable means, the improvement comprising: a support for the powerunit including a structure fixedly attached to the elevator andaffording rockable suspension for the power unit and lengthwise movementof the power unit relative to the elevator; a first link extendingbetween the supporting framework and the support for moving the powerunit lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment of the elevator;and a second link connected to the elevator and the support for causingthe power unit to be rocked in response to angular adjustment of theelevator to maintain said power unit at a substantially uniform angularrelation relative to the ground.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, in which the structure fixedlyattached to the elevator includes an elongated slot lengthwise of theelevator adapted to receive for lengthwise movement a connecting elementrockably mounting the power unit on the structure,

4. The invention defined in claim 2, in which the structure fixedlyattached to the elevator includes a rockable arm fulcrumed at its lowerend to the elevator and pivotally connected to the power unit.

5. In a material-handling device of the type including supportingframework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework forangular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveablemeans mounted on the elevator, a power source, and an endless flexibleelement extending between the power source and the driveable means fortransmitting power from the former to the latter, the improvementcomprising: a carrier having means connecting it to the power source; arigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached to the elevator andaffording rockable suspension for the support and lengthwise movement ofthe support relative to the elevator; a first link extending between thesupporting frame work and the carrier support for moving the carriersupport lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment of theelevator; a second link extending between the driveable means and thecarrier support for causing the support to rock in response to angularadjustment of elevator and relative to the elevator to retain said powersource at a substantially uniform angular relation relative to theground and for maintaining the driveable means at a substantially equaldistance from the power source;

and means mounting the carrier to the carrier support including thereina takep device for maintaining operating tension on the flexibleelement.

6. In a material-handling device of the type including supportingframework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework forangular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveablemeans mounted on the elevator, 21 power source, and an endless flexibleelement extending between the power source and the driveable means fortransmitting power from the former to the latter, the improvementcomprising: a carrier having means connecting it to the power source; arigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached to the elevator andaffording rockable suspension for the support and lengthwise movement ofthe support relative to the elevator; 21 first link extending betweenthe supporting framework and the carrier support for moving the carriersupport lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment of theelevator; 21 second link extending between the driveable means and thecarrier support for causing the support to rock in response to angularadjustment of elevator and relative to the elevator to retain said powersource at a substantially uniform angular relation relative to theground and for maintaining the driveable means at a substantially equaldistance from the power source.

7 In a material-handling device of the type including supportingframework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework forangular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveablemeans mounted on the elevator, a power source, and an endless flexibleelement extending between the power source and the driveable means fortransmitting power from the former to the latter, the improvementcomprising: a carrier having means connecting it to the power source; arigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached to the elevatorhaving an elongated slot lengthwise of the elevator and affordingrockable suspension for the support in the slot; a first link extendingbetween the supporting framework and the carrier support for moving thecarrier support engthwise of the slot upon angular adjustment of theelevator; a second link connected to the elevator and the carriersupport for causing the carrier support to rock in response to angularadjustment of the elevator to maintain said power source at asubstantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground; and meansmounting the carrier to the carrier support including therein a take-updevice for maintaining operating tension on the flexible element.

8. In a material-handling device of the type including supportingframework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework forangular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveablemeans mounted on the elevator, a power source, and an endless flexibleelement extending between the power source and the driveable means fortransmitting power from the former to the latter, the improvementcomprising: a carrier having means connecting it to the power source; arigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached to the elevatorhaving an elongated slot lengthwise of the elevator and affordingrockable suspension for the support in the slot; 21 first link extendingbetween the supporting framework and the carrier support for moving thecarrier support lengthwise of the slot upon angular adjustment of theelevator; 21 second link extending between the driveable means and thecarrier support for causing the carrier support to rock in response toangular adjustment of the elevator to maintain said power source at asubstantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground and tomaintain a substantially equal distance between the driveable means andthe drive means; and means mounting the carrier to the carrier supportincluding therein a take-up device for maintaining operating tension onthe flexible element.

9. In a material-handling device of the type including supportingframework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework forangular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveablemeans mounted on the elevator and a power source for operating thedriveable means, the improvement comprising: a drive means supportincluding means connecting it to the power source; a structure fixedlyattached to the elevator having an elongated slot lengthwise of theelevator and affording rockable suspension for the support in the slot;at first link extending between the supporting framework and the supportfor moving the support lengthwise of the slot upon angular adjustment ofthe elevator; and a second link extending between the elevator and thesupport for causing the support to rock in response to angularadjustment of the elevator to maintain said power source at asubstantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground.

10. in a material-handling device of the type including supportingframework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework forangular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveablemeans mounted on the elevator and a power source for operating thedriveable means, the improvement comprising: a drive means supportincluding means connecting it to the power source; a structure fixedlyattached to the elevator and afifording rockable suspension for thesupport and lengthwise movement of the support relative to the elevator;a link extending between the supporting framework and the support formoving the support lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment ofthe ele- 'vator; and means extending between the elevator and thesupport for causing the support to rock in response to angularadjustment of the elevator.

11. In a material-handling device of the type including supportingframework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework forangular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveablemeans mounted on the elevator, a power source, and an endless flexibleelement extending between the power source and the driveable means fortransmitting power from the former to the latter, the improvementcomprising: a carrier having means connecting it to the power source; arigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached to the elevatorincluding a rockable member pivotally connected to the support toafiford rockable suspension for the support and lengthwise movement ofthe support relative to the elevator; a first link extending between thesupporting framework and the rockable member for moving the carriersupport lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment of theelevator; a second link connected to the elevator and the carriersupport for causing the carrier support to rock relative to the rockablemember in response to angular adjustment of the elevator to therebymaintain said power source at a substantially uniform angular relationrelative to the ground; and means mounting the carrier to the carriersupport including therein a take-up device for adjusting the tension ofthe flexible element.

12. The invention defined in claim 11, in which adjustment is providedin said first and second links to compensate for variable lengths of theflexible element.

13. In a material-handling device of the type including supportingframework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework forangular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveablemeans mounted on the elevator, and a power source for operating thedriveable means, the improvement comprising: a rigid support for thepower source; astructure fixedly attached to the elevator including arockable member pivotally connected to the support to afford rockablesuspension for the support and lengthwise movement of the supportrelative to the elevator; a first link extending between the supportingframework and the rockable member for moving the support lengthwise ofthe elevator upon angular adjustment of the elevator; and a second linkconnected to the elevator and the support for causing the carriersupport to rock relative to the rockable member in response to angularadjustment of the elevator to thereby maintain said power source at asubstantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground.

14. The invention defined in claim 13, in which the rockable member isin the form of a rock arm fulcrumed at its lower end for lengthwiseswinging relative to the elevator and pivotally connected at its upperend to the power source support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,878,983 Harris Sept. 20, 1932 2,494,360 Russell Jan. 10, 19502,528,917 Slocum Nov. 7, 1950 2,572,290 Vutz Oct. 23, 1951 2,583,082Bobrowski Jan. 22, 1952 2,598,880 Beldin June 3, 1952 2,759,591 EricksonAug. 21, 1956

